Israeli forces storm Jenin

Israeli forces, backed by military vehicles, stormed the West Bank city of Jenin late on Thursday, coming from its northern gate.

31 Jul 2003 13:38 GMT

Jenin has been the scene of repeated raids by Israeli forces.

Israeli forces opened fire at the houses of people in Al-Nasera street, the industrial area, and around the eastern area of the city, according to Ali Al Sumodi, Aljazeera’s correspondent in Palestine.

“A huge number of Israeli forces and heavy vehicles surrounded the city of Jenin, closing all its gates,” the correspondent reported.

“Israeli patrols were deployed in all areas inside the city, imposing a curfew on it,” he said.

Soldiers occupied Palestinians' homes

Israeli forces then surrounded the eastern area, particularly Jaba’a town, stormed and opened fire at many houses there, claiming they were tracking ‘wanted’ members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, a local citizen told Aljazeera.

"The soldiers occupied many houses there, moving their Palestinian residents into a neighboring area,” they added.

The Aljazeera team saw Israeli forces arresting one of the citizens and an Israeli Apache helicopter gunship looming over the area.

“Israeli search operations are still going on, in an attempt to track 'wanted' activists,” the correspondent reported.